Kent Gamble Recognized as Counselor of the Year

Athens, W.Va. – Kent Gamble, director of admissions for Concord University, was recognized as counselor of the year April 28 at a three day conference in Williamsburg, Va. The conference was hosted by the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC) and covers not only West Virginia, but also Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1964, the PCACAC is a professional organization for those who work with students in the transition between high school and college.

Ten awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding secondary school counselors and college admissions counselors from each of PCACAC’s four states and the District of Columbia. The criteria for nominations include professional leadership, thoroughness, honesty, sensitivity, patience and, of course, a sense of humor.

“It’s exciting to have your peers recognize you,” he said.

With being in a business where a person has to be “cycle oriented,” Gamble said that it makes it especially nice to be recognized for his work.

“In this type of a field, you’re looking for the next class and the next year,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t get an opportunity to relax because you’re constantly looking for the next class.”

Yet, he said that he has learned much through his years of being an admissions counselor. Working from the bottom up, he said, has been the biggest challenge but it has also been his main benefit.

“The more you’re in this business the more you learn,” he said. “There is a lot of appreciation and acknowledgment that goes to my colleagues. It was a lot of fun to go and accept the award, but it is also good to get back.”

-CU-

PHOTO: Kent Gamble